Review: Meet Me in Monaco by Hazel Gaynor & Heather Webb

Set in the 1950s against the backdrop of Grace Kelly’s whirlwind romance and glamorous wedding to Prince Rainier of Monaco, New York Times bestselling author Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb take the reader on an evocative sun-drenched journey along the Côte d’Azur in this page-turning novel of passion, fate, and second-chances.

 Movie stars and paparazzi flock to Cannes for the glamorous film festival, but Grace Kelly, the biggest star of all, wants only to escape from the flash-bulbs. When struggling perfumer Sophie Duval shelters Miss Kelly in her boutique, fending off a persistent British press photographer, James Henderson, a bond is forged between the two women and sets in motion a chain of events that stretches across thirty years of friendship, love, and tragedy.

 James Henderson cannot forget his brief encounter with Sophie Duval. Despite his guilt at being away from his daughter, he takes an assignment to cover the wedding of the century, sailing with Grace Kelly’s wedding party on the SS Constitution from New York. In Monaco, as wedding fever soars and passions and tempers escalate, James and Sophie—like Princess Grace—must ultimately decide what they are prepared to give up for love.

Kindle, 384 pages

Expected publication: July 23rd, 2019

by William Morrow Paperbacks

***

Three years ago I was in Cannes as they were preparing for the Film Festival as well as Monaco where I paid my respects at Grace Kelly’s graveside. So it only stands to reason that I jumped when the opportunity presented itself to read this one. Also, I really enjoyed the authors' previous collaboration Last Christmas in Paris.

Beginning in 1955 with Cannes, the French Riveria is alive as stars of Hollywood make their appearance while photographers hover and hide behind walls vying for the best pics. With a chance meeting, Grace and Sophie are introduced and a friendship is formed.

Meet Me in Monaco is the perfect beach read, it was quick, a little predictable but entertaining.  I learned a little about what Kelly went through but this book was focused more on Sophie - her life, relationship with both Kelly and photographer James. I wasn’t a fan of the ending, I just felt with the flow of the story it could have ended a little different, but then that’s just my opinion. 

If you haven't had a chance to read Last Christmas in Paris, check it out, click on the cover below for my review.

My thanks to the publisher (via Edelweiss) for an advanced copy.